ENGL 260-01, Survey of English Literature I, Spring 2004

Abstract

First, it aims to introduce you to the history of literature written in English, from Beowulf to the eighteenth century. As you read several important works from medieval and early modern literature, you will become more familiar with this literature’s genres (like epic and romance) and some of the topics it addresses (like heroism and gender). This course is also intended to give you more practice in doing close analyses of literature, paying attention not only to the content of a text but also to the texture of its language and its figures of speech. Ideally, in this course you will learn not only about the broad expanse of history, but you will also develop your ability to read closely and careful